986 BOXSTER
No matter how hard you try, there’s no getting away from the fact the 986 Boxster continues to offer the best bang for your buck on the Porsche scene. Prices have already bottomed out, meaning you’re unlikely to be able to buy the midengined, two-seater roadster for any less than it is currently available for, but don’t be tempted to hop into the cheapest 986 you can find — excellent examples of the Porsche-saving drop-top are fetching good money for a reason.
“This end of the market is fraught with danger for a buyer,” warns Tom Harris, responsible for the day-to-day running of Porsche sales specialist, 911 Virgin. “The low value of early Boxsters, especially base models, means many owners cut corners when it comes to servicing and maintenance. Additionally, cars staying with owners for an average of just eighteen months means some sellers lazily shift their car care responsibilities on to the buyer, who themselves might not take care of what’s required. There’s also a tendency for low-value Boxsters to be serviced and maintained at general service garages, where knowledge about vehicle specifics is lacking. Sure, you can buy a 986 for three grand, but my advice is to reach for cars at the very top end of the price spectrum. It’s likely these are the examples which have been well looked after and which will offer you a more enjoyable ownership experience.”
We’ve said as much before, but you’ll struggle to find any standard mainstream Porsche which handles better than a 986, especially on a twisty backroad — the newer the Boxster model, the bigger and less wieldy. Less feedback, too. In other words, optimised responsiveness marks the 986 as that bit more user-friendly than later Boxsters. Sure, tyres play their part, but all the top brands work well on the 986. Simply fit the best and have a spare set stashed away for winter.
Running costs are reasonable, but it’s worth keeping in mind the 986 Boxster is the same as the 996-generation 911 from the rear quarters forward, and that the open-top Porsche’s flat-six (2.5 litres through to 3.2 litres) is pretty much a smaller displacement version of the unit
powering the same-age 911 Carrera. In other words, despite the fact you may have acquired a 986 Boxster for a budget-beating price, suspension complaints and mechanical failure is going to set you back the same amount of cash as if you were faced with fixing a 996. Many Boxster buyers fail to observe this fact, a key reason many seemingly cheap 986s are hiding problems their next owner will need to contend with.
DIFFERENT STROKES
Having said all this, there is some truth to the argument all 986 Boxsters are tarred with the same brush. The easiest way to separate the rough from the smooth is to invest in a pre-purchase inspection from a trusted independent Porsche specialist familiar with these cars. We recommend this over instructing an official Porsche Centre to carry out a dealer-special 111point check, which is really only a probe of mechanicals. Besides, due to their low value, how many early Boxsters are serviced at main dealers these days? The depth of knowledge an indie will offer is likely to provide far more detail relating to every aspect of the car, from bodywork to engine, electrics, chassis and interior. You’ll also want a borescope inspection carried out to ensure the absence of bore score, a common fault on early water-cooled 911 and Boxster engines. Expect to pay between £300 and £500 all in. If you’ve raised an eyebrow at this sum, consider the fact it could save you a fortune in the long run.
Don’t feel pressured into buying any particular 986 Boxster. The massive success of the model means there is no shortage of examples to choose from, allowing you to take your time finding a car matching not only your available budget, but also your preferences in specification, including colour and trim level. Budget between five and fifteen grand, but aim to spend the most you can afford — as Tom highlighted, the best Boxsters command the best prices... with justification.
If your budget can extend further than the top rung of the 986 ladder, consider a first-generation 987 Boxster. We always recommend the best example of an earlier car over an average example of a later one pitched at the same price point, but with 2.7-litre base model 987s starting at seven grand and the uber-desirable RS60 Spyder (a limited edition of only 1,960 units) variant yours for £25k, there’s a huge variety of different engine sizes and trim options to choose from across the 987 range.
If your heart is set on a 986 (and who could blame you?!), however, our pick of the bunch is the near 250bhp 3.2litre Boxster S, but only with a manual gearbox. Happy hunting! ●